Hamas announced Monday it has dissolved its government in the Gaza Strip and plans to hand over governing authority to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), a U.
S. -backed interim administration established under a ceasefire agreement.
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The move signals Hamas's willingness to end its political leadership over the territory after nearly two decades in power.
However, the group made no promise to disarm unilaterally, as demanded by Israel and the United States.
Mohammed al-Farra, head of the Hamas administration, resigned from his governmental roles to facilitate the transition.
He stated that civil servants and public workers would remain in their positions pending the NCAG's arrival.
Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the step was taken to eliminate justifications for continued Israeli military actions.
"Hamas has taken a new step in that it will no longer be in charge of the Gaza Strip, in order to remove any pretexts for the occupation," Qassem said.
The NCAG, consisting of 13 prominent Palestinian professionals, remains stuck in Cairo.
The Israeli government under Benjamin Netanyahu has blocked its members from entering Gaza since the committee's formation in January.
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NCAG chair Ali Shaath stated on social media that the committee is "fully prepared to assume its national responsibilities as soon as the necessary resources and capabilities are available."
International Response
The Board of Peace, established by the Trump administration to oversee the ceasefire plan, issued a cautious response.
